What happened this week in Wheaton is one of the absolute saddest stories we've ever reported, as a freak sports accident ended the life of a young athlete representing Oswego. Eric Lederman is remembered by his coach and teammates as a great comedian and a wonderful guy, and we mourn his family and community's loss.

Meanwhile, in Burr Ridge, months of contract dissent have officially broiled over and District 180 teachers, claiming unequal pay and benefits, have authorized a strike after four unsuccessful attempts at mediation. Education and strikes are always hot-button topics; we'd love to hear your thoughts on the matter.

Check out any or all of the following:

Wheaton—Boy Dies After Baseball Accident in Wheaton—An Oswego boy has died after being struck in the neck with a ball Wednesday in Wheaton while playing for the Oswego Panthers U12 traveling team.

Burr Ridge—Burr Ridge Teachers Union Authorizes Strike—A suburban teachers union says its school board recently told representatives that it would not consider any resolution to teacher contract negotiations until the union drops charges pending against the district in court.

Geneva—Man Fires Bullet Into His Head in Market Parking Lot—Sheriff's officers locate the car of a despondent 32-year-old Sugar Grove man, parked just outside Mill Creek Market. He shot himself as the officer pleads with him to take his finger off the trigger.

Glen Ellyn—No Foul Play Suspected in House Fire Near Glen Ellyn—A recent fire in unincorporated Glen Ellyn caused approximately $3 million worth of damages to the home.

Hinsdale/Clarendon Hills—IRS Investigating Hinsdale Tax Fraud Case—The victim's personal information was used by an unknown, out-of-state suspect to file a false tax return.

Batavia—Police: Metra Fatality Apparent Suicide—Police think the woman who was struck and killed by a train last week committed suicide. Here are more details.

Western Springs—Battling Deadly ALS, Village Firefighter Giving Back to Foundation—Dick Jacobson, a Forest Hills resident living with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease,) is organizing Western Springs’ first ever “Tag Day” to fundraise for the Les Turner ALS Foundation.

La Grange/La Grange Park—Human Remains Found Near Stevenson Expressway—A telephone technician found skeletal remains near La Grange Road and the Stevenson Expressway on Tuesday. Results on an autopsy are still pending.

Oak Park/River Forest—Community Reacts to Lower Bond and Freedom in Child Molestation Case—Accused of sexual abuse, one-time religious publisher and child welfare advocate Robert Gaskill, will be on electronic monitoring and is forbidden from contact with minors.

Elmhurst—Girl Locks Herself in the Bathroom As Men Try to Break into Her Home—Two break-ins were attempted over the weekend. The community is asking what more can be done as, even after several arrests, the burglaries continue.

Lisle—Geese Police Continue Sweeps on Park District Grounds—Biscuit and her handler survey the grounds at River Bend Golf Club and Community Park twice a day to deter the presence of geese.

St. Charles—City Wants Alternatives for Charlestowne Mall—St. Charles officials will pay a consultant to look at what other possible uses there might be for the East Main Street property.

Downers Grove—Body Discovered at Doerhoefer Park Identified—The body of a man found in a restroom at Doerhoefer Park on Wednesday has been identified as 24-year-old Downers Grove resident Seamus Deegan of the 4700 block of Oakwood.